Trump Confirms 20 Hostages Freed Under Gaza Ceasefire

Amid ongoing implementation of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that 20 hostages previously held in Gaza were safely released. Speaking from the summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Trump emphasized that while the releases marked significant progress, “the second phase begins now,” signaling that further negotiations and exchanges were underway.

Exchange of bodies continues

While the hostages were freed, the transfer of bodies of deceased captives and prisoners remains ongoing. Hamas previously confirmed it had 24 bodies of Israeli hostages in its possession. As part of the ceasefire, the group has already handed over four bodies and announced plans to transfer four more later tonight.

Israel, however, has refused to reopen the Rafah border crossing, accusing Hamas of failing to return all deceased hostages as promised.

Red Cross warns process will be slow

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said today that the recovery and return of bodies will take considerable time due to the destruction across Gaza.

ICRC spokesperson Christian Cardon described the task as “a far greater challenge than freeing the living,” adding, “It could take days or even weeks, and some bodies may never be found.”

Israel restricts fuel and gas to Gaza

Israel informed the United Nations that starting Wednesday, it will allow only 300 humanitarian aid trucks to enter Gaza daily—about half the number agreed upon under the ceasefire terms. The Israeli government also announced that fuel and gas shipments into Gaza would remain banned, except for special humanitarian cases.

UN: 55 million tons of rubble in Gaza

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reported that the Gaza Strip now contains an estimated 55 million tons of debris. Early cleanup efforts have already uncovered at least three bodies, with more expected as clearing continues.

Hostage and prisoner exchange details

As part of the ceasefire deal, Hamas on Monday released 20 Israeli hostages, while Israel freed 1,966 Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas had initially taken 251 people hostage during its October 7, 2023 “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation. Many were released in previous short-term truces, though dozens remained in captivity until this latest agreement.

Among those still held were the remains of several deceased hostages, including an Israeli soldier killed in the 2014 conflict.

Ceasefire timeline

Trump announced on October 9 that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire plan negotiated in Egypt. With Israel’s formal approval, the truce took effect on October 10 at 12:00 p.m., following the withdrawal of Israeli forces to the designated “Yellow Line.”

Trump said today that the next stage of the peace process—focused on the exchange of remains, humanitarian access, and long-term security arrangements—has already begun.